supply line

plural supply lines

1. The chain of transportation mechanisms supplying food and materiel to an army in battle, or other field operation.

   Having cracked the Germans' Enigma traffic, the Allies were able to devastate Rommel's supply lines across the Mediterranean.

   1 more example

   Hostile forces are putting pressure on our people. Take out their supply line to give our troops room to breathe.

   2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Disrupt Enemy Supplies

2. broadlyAny system in place to provide resources to a group.

   1 more example

   John Barclay and [Stuart] McInally controlled the tackle area, denying England quick possession and fracturing the champions’ supply line, Simon Berghan anchored the scrum and behind Finn Russell, missing in action in the opening two rounds, fulfilled his captain Barclay’s prediction on the eve of the game that he would be the man of the match.

   2018 February 24, Paul Rees, “Finn Russell masterminds historic Scotland victory over England”, in The Guardian, London, archived from the original on 22 Apr 2018